“Always be ready”: Ansarada co-founder Rachel Riley on how to prepare for your next capital raise

Local startups aren’t reaching their potential due to mistakes made in the capital raising process. No matter how hungry they are, lack of preparation means time and resources are being wasted, with once in a lifetime opportunities being lost.

Aussie venture capital firms are investing more in local startups than ever before, with $848 million invested during the 2017-18 financial year according to KPMG’s latest Venture Pulse report. With an opportunity this big, being prepared isn’t just a simple matter of getting your documents in order when a deal arises.

It means knowing what you have, where the gaps lie, and how you compare to other startups fighting for the same piece of the pie. This includes having an understanding of the finer details of the capital raise process, from investor expectations to contract requirements. The knowledge you gather before the process will help you to have confidence in your decisions.

Failing to be prepared could mean more than just a failed capital raise. It hinders short-term growth and impacts reputation, which could have long-term effects, especially for startups who want to raise again. Read more

Rachel Riley - SmartCompany - 20 November 2018